Detector with Interchangeable Sample Probes

ABSTRACT

A gas detector can be releasibly coupled to one of a group of elongated probes each of the probes includes a detector connecting end and a gas in flow/outflow end. The connecting end includes a helical attaching feature which when coupled to the detector defies a plurality of spaced apart angular locking positions. A locking position is selected in response to a flow of air in an adjacent duct to which the detector is being attached. Where the detector carries an elongated display device, the locking position can be selected so that the display device exhibits a desired presentation.

FIELD

The application pertains to duct mountable ambient condition detectors.More particularly, the application pertains to such detectors whichinclude detachable air sampling probes.

BACKGROUND

Stand alone or system based duct mounted detectors find use in a varietyof installations including ventilation and air conditioning ducts whichprovide fresh air to monitored regions. In such installations, it isuseful to monitor concentrations of airborne gases, such as carbondioxide.

In such ducts, air can be moving in vertical or horizontal directions.Quite apart from the direction of air movement, it is, at times,desirable to orient the detectors, relative to the adjacent region, sothat any display devices carried on the detector can be easily read bylocal personnel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in accordance herewith;

FIG. 2A is a view of one detector and associated probe in accordanceherewith;

FIG. 2B is a view of another detector and associated probe in accordanceherewith;

FIG. 3A is a probe side view of the detector and probe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is an enlargement of the view of FIG. 3A with the probe engagingthe housing of the detector;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the detector and probe of FIG. 3 where theprobe has been locked to the detector with a vertical flow orientation;

FIG. 5A illustrates the probe of FIG. 4 adjacent to the detector andbefore rotation;

FIG. 5B illustrates the probe of FIG. 5A adjacent to the detector andafter rotation with a vertical flow orientation;

FIG. 6A illustrates the probe of FIG. 2A adjacent to the detector andbefore rotation thereof;

FIG. 6B illustrates the probe of FIG. 6A adjacent to the detector andafter rotation with a horizontal flow orientation;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along plane 7-7 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along plane 8-8 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-section illustrating additional aspects of theembodiment of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While disclosed embodiments can take many different forms, specificembodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure isto be considered as an exemplification of the principles thereof as wellas the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit theapplication or claims to the specific embodiment illustrated.

In embodiments hereof, separate air sampling probes can be releasiblycoupled to the detector's body. By selectively orienting the respectiveprobe, inflow and outflow ports of the probe can be oriented to maximizeair flowing into the probe and facilitate air flowing from the probe. Atthe same time, the housing to which the probe is coupled can beindependently oriented to provide portrait orientation for a viewer ofany display device carried by the housing.

In one aspect, the probe can be formed as an elongated tube with twointernal, substantially parallel, channels. One channel extends from asampling end to a sensing end and provides inflowing air to a sensingregion of the detector. A second, parallel, channel provides a parallelpath between those ends for air flowing from the sensing region of thedetector back into adjacent air flow.

The sampling end can include one or more inflow ports and one or moreoutflow ports. The inflow and outflow ports are oriented one hundredeighty degrees apart from one another on the tube, relative to a centralaxis of the tube. One part of a multiple position twist-lock connectorcan be provided at the sensing end of the probe. The detector can carrya second part of the connector. The probe can be releasibly attached tothe detector by the connector with the ports having a selectedorientation relative to an air flow being sensed, and where a display onthe detector can exhibit a selected orientation for a viewer.

Advantageously, in accordance herewith, various sizes and shapes ofprobes can be provided. An installer can choose and use an appropriateprobe given the characteristics of the ducts to which the detector isbeing attached.

FIG. 1 illustrates a combination 10 which includes a gas detector 12 anda plurality of attachable probes 14. The detector 12 includes a hollowhousing 12 a which carries a human readable display device 12 b. Thedevice 12 b can visually present gas concentrations as well as detectorstatus for maintenance personnel in the vicinity. The housing 12 a anddisplay 12 b are illustrated with a portrait orientation for ease inviewing.

As those of skill in the art will understand, the probe 14 a . . . 14 nof the plurality 14 can have different lengths, depending on thecharacteristics of the respective duct to which the unit is to beattached, or different gas ports adjacent to distal ends 16 a . . . 16n. Proximal ends 18 a . . . 18 n all carry a common coupling element,discussed below, which can rotatably and releasibly mate with housing12.

FIG. 2A illustrates detector 12 mounted on a panel P of a heating or airconditioning duct through which ambient air is flowing in a verticaldirection V. The probe 16 i extends into the duct to sample thevertically flowing air. The detector 12 is attached to the panel P ofthe duct by a fastener 20.

FIG. 2B illustrates a detector 12-1, similar to the detector 12 butwithout the display 12 b. The probe 14 i, in FIG. 2B extends into therespective duct and is attached thereto by the fastener 20.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A, B the detector 12 has a rear panel 12 dwhich closes the hollow housing 12. An annular coupling element 24 iscarried on the panel 12 d. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A, B the proximalend of the probe 14 i slidably engages the element 24. The element 24carries internal helical protrusions 24 a which rotatably engagematching external helical patterns, such as 26 a, b.

As the probe 14 i engages the connector element 24 while being rotated,in a direction 30 about a central axis A thereof, see FIG. 5A, thehelical protrusions 24 a and 26 a, b slidably and rotatably lock thehousing 12 to the proximal end 18 i of the probe 14 i. A base region 24b of the connector element 24 is located adjacent to a sensing region 36of the internal gas sensor 38 of the detector 12.

The distal ends, such as end 16 i of each of the probes 14 are formedwith ambient air, including gas or gases of interest, inflow/outflowports such as 32 a, b (best seen in FIGS. 8, 9). The probe, such as 14i, forms an inflow channel 40 a, an outflow channel 40 b. The channelsare separated by a divider 40 c which extends along the axis of symmetryA. Ambient air, including the gas(s) of interest travel along channel 40a to the sensing region 36 and sensor 38, and then exit the probe 12 ialong channel 40 b.

FIGS. 7-9 are various cross-sections which illustrate additional aspectsof the present apparatus. Control circuits 44 couple the display to thesensor 38 as would be understood by those of skill in the art.

Because the connector elements 24 a and 26 a can be arranged to providea plurality of different starting/ending points for the probe 14 i afinal position, see FIG. 5B can be provided consistent with a verticalflow, such as the flow V of FIG. 2. Alternately, a final position, seeFIG. 6B can be provided consistent with a horizontal flow.

In summary, a respective probe twists and locks to the rear of theenclosure, or housing, via a helix. The helix can be started in one of 4locations. This option will allow the vent orientation to be vertical orhorizontal. The tube also includes a divider. This divider issymmetrical and will permit the sample of duct air to travel to thehousing, and sensor, and return to the duct at a constant velocity. Thetube has the capability of slowing the speed of the incoming air. Thetube completes a closed air circuit from the duct to the sensor and backvia three seals. These include, a tube to the ambient room air sealimplemented via an axial O-ring; a sensor board to inside the housingsea; and, the collar, carried on the housing for the detector, whichprevents the room air from mixing with the duct air.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope hereof. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect tothe specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should beinferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims allsuch modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. Further,logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular ordershown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other stepsmay be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows,and other components may be add to, or removed from the describedembodiments.

1. A detector comprising: a housing; a sensor carried by the housing; anambient air input/output probe releasibly carried by the housing by aturntable connecting feature; and the probe directs inflowing ambientair to the sensor in the housing, and, outflowing ambient air from thesensor in the housing, and the sensor is selected from a class whichincludes a gas sensor, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.
 2. Adetector as in claim 1 where the probe has a plurality of angularlyadjustable locking positions relative to the housing.
 3. A detector asin claim 1 where the probe includes an internal air flow divider.
 4. Adetector as in claim 3 where the divider directs inflowing ambient airtoward the sensor and outflowing ambient air away from the sensor towardthe outflow port.
 5. A detector as in claim 4 which includes an annularseal to isolate duct air from regional air outside of the duct.
 6. Adetector as in claim 1 with a plurality of dual flow probes each havingan elongated hollow body where each of the probes defines parallelinflow and outflow paths which extend from end-to-end of the body.
 7. Adetector as in claim 2 where the probe has an inflow port and anadjacent outflow port, displaced from the helical feature to provideinflowing ambient air to the sensor in the housing, and, outflowingambient air from the sensor in the housing.
 8. A detector as in claim 7where the inflow port and the outflow port assume one of a plurality ofangular positions relative to the housing, and the connecting featurecomprises a helical coupling.
 9. A detector as in claim 8 where thehousing carries an elongated display and when coupled to a selectedprobe, the display exhibits a selected orientation.
 10. A gas detectorcomprising: a housing with a gas sensor located adjacent to a sensingregion in the housing; wherein the housing defines an inflow/outflowport adjacent to the sensing region with one part of a locking elementcarried adjacent to the port; and a plurality of dual flow probes eachhaving an elongated hollow body where each of the probes definesparallel inflow and outflow paths which extend from end-to-end of thebody.
 11. A detector as in claim 10 where at least some of the probeseach have a second part of the locking element whereby the respectiveprobe is releasibly coupled to the port of the housing at a plurality ofangular positions.
 12. A detector as in claim 11 where the second partof the locking element carries a helical locking feature which rotatablyengages a corresponding feature on the one portion of the lockingelement.
 13. A detector as in claim 10 where each body has first andsecond spaced apart ends with one end of each probe carrying a secondpart of the locking element.
 14. A detector as in claim 10 where eachbody has an inflow/outflow end with spaced apart flow openings.
 15. Adetector as in claim 14 where the flow openings are spaced angularlyabout the respective housing.
 16. A detector as in claim 15 where theflow openings are spaced ninety degrees apart from each other about thehousing.
 17. A detector as in claim 15 where the housing carries anelongated display and when coupled to a selected probe, the displayexhibits a selected orientation.
 18. A detector as in claim 17 where thedisplay is oriented with a portrait orientation.
 19. A detector as inclaim 10 where each of the probes carries an attachment structure.
 20. Adetector as in claim 19 where the attachment structure carries anannular seal which excludes ambient atmosphere at a first side of theseal from a second side of the seal.